Vice President Dr. Philip Mpango has issued five important directives to strengthen carbon trading regulations in Tanzania.
Speaking at the Climate Change and Carbon Trade Meeting in Dar es Salaam, he emphasized the need for clearer regulations and increased public awareness.
He said, “We need to streamline the regulations and raise awareness so that the carbon trading process is better understood and accessible to everyone.
” Dr. Mpango identified limited awareness and unclear regulations as major obstacles to the growth of carbon trading, adding that the lack of clear financial guidelines and proper measurement methods for carbon offsets was preventing effective participation in the carbon market.
The Vice President also raised concerns about the lack of transparency in carbon trading, stating, “The dominance of brokers has led to inaccurate reporting of carbon quantities.
This is a major challenge.” He emphasized that key contractual decisions should involve broader consultations, rather than being left solely to municipal councils.
To address these issues, Dr. Mpango issued five directives: first, the NCMC should educate local governments, municipal councils, and security agencies on carbon trading; second, regulations should ensure fairness and transparency in contracts; third, the NCMC should learn from successful carbon trading practices in other countries; fourth, there should be better coordination among stakeholders to create a unified approach; and fifth, private companies should support public education to increase participation in the carbon market.
“The more people understand carbon trading, the more effectively we can reduce emissions and increase national revenue,” he said.
Minister of State for Environment and Union, Hamad Masauni, expressed the government’s commitment to enhancing carbon trading through legal reforms and the establishment of the NCMC.
He explained, “These reforms allow Tanzania to participate in international carbon markets, boosting our national revenue while enhancing environmental sustainability.
” Masauni also highlighted the investment opportunities created by carbon trading. By February this year, the government had already registered 71 carbon trading projects, which are expected to contribute significantly to the economy and environmental sustainability.
Kadari Singo, CEO of the Uongozi Institute, described the forum as a key platform for sharing ideas and accelerating carbon trading initiatives.
He noted that Tanzania’s forests, which cover about 48.1 million hectares, offer a significant opportunity for the country to benefit from carbon markets.
Singo also reaffirmed the institute’s commitment to promoting carbon trading through tree-planting campaigns along coastal areas and conducting research to guide future policies.